Chapter 29 — Princess's Proposition [1]
"If you don't mind me asking, why did you bring that up?"
"Well… Eleanor said something like this. She said the people who apply for the Disciplinary Committee are either trying to use their connection with her or have fallen for her. Since Alex doesn't seem like the first type, I thought it might be the second…"
"Haha… Thank you for thinking of me that way. But if we're being precise, I'd say I'm the former."
"So… you're saying you want to use your connection with Eleanor?"
"'Use' is a bit of a strong word. But I won't deny that I want to borrow her influence to climb the ladder of success."
"Ooh, so Alex wants to rise up and… hmm, what is it you want to do exactly?"
"My immediate goal is to become a knight."
After putting down the dumbbell, I walked over next to Layla.
The atmosphere hinted that the conversation would get a bit long.
"And once I become a knight, I want to restore my family's name."
"I see. So, when you say 'restore,' does that mean your family's situation isn't so great right now?"
"It's not good. To be exact, the family only exists in name now. I'm the only one left."
"No way, Alex… you're alone?"
"Alone… yes, that's right. I have no family, and there's no one else in my household but me."
"…Sorry. I shouldn't have asked that."
"It's fine. Really."
From the beginning, I was someone who had transmigrated from another world.
So, I had no memories of this body's family, nor any attachment to its relatives.
"Anyway, my goal is to become a knight and rebuild my family."
"I get it now. But is there a particular reason why you want to rely on Eleanor's help for that?"
"The Blackwell Ducal Family oversees the Empire's entire military force. And naturally, that includes the training of knights."
"Oh, right. That makes sense."
Layla nodded at my explanation.
"So that's why you want to borrow Eleanor's influence, since she's from the Blackwell family."
"Yes, that's correct."
"Ooh."
Layla looked at me with impressed eyes.
"You've got such a clear goal—it's, I don't know… really admirable."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"It's not a compliment, I'm just saying the truth, hehe. But if becoming a knight is your goal…"
Layla's expression suddenly changed as if she had an idea.
"Wanna be my personal knight?"
"…A personal knight?"
"Yeah. When I graduate from the Academy and enter politics, I'll need someone to protect me. Sara does that for now, but once she gets busier with her family duties, it'll be hard for her to stay by my side."
"I can't deny that's a tempting offer."
And it really was—not just as a figure of speech. Becoming Layla's personal knight would actually be a solid choice.
To serve not just anyone, but a member of the royal family. It was, in many ways, one of the best options possible.
Being close to royalty wouldn't just help my career; it might also grant me easier access to information about my family's hidden secrets.
"Right? Sounds good, doesn't it? If you want, you could start getting used to the role while still at the Academy and officially begin after graduation."
"That's also a very generous proposal. But… I don't wish to take an easy path."
"Huh? An easy path?"
"Becoming a royal's personal knight just because we know each other from the Academy—it doesn't feel right. If I do it, I want to do it after I've become a full-fledged knight and proven my ability."
Simply put, I didn't want to enter through connections.
And that was the right call.
The political scene in the Arium Empire was already vicious enough; entering it by favoritism would only end badly for me.
It was better to rise through merit and keep myself safe.
"I see. But didn't you just say you wanted to use your connection with Eleanor?"
"That's… slightly different. What you just offered would put me in a high position before I've proven myself. What I want from my connection with Lady Eleanor is merely the opportunity to rise."
Becoming a knight in the Empire was not an easy feat.
And for an ordinary Academy student, even getting a chance at it was rare.
That was why I wanted to stay close to Eleanor.
By doing so, at the very least, I could secure the opportunity to become a knight.
'Of course, it's only a chance. I'd still have to prove my own worth once I get it.'
Anyway, whatever it was, it wasn't an easy road.
"I don't really get all of that, but what I do know is—you're amazing, Alex. And… you're a good person."
"Thank you for always seeing me kindly."
"Oh, come on. And, you know… I keep getting this feeling that I want to be close friends with you."
"Ah… is that so?"
"How should I put it… most people tend to keep their distance from me. It's not obvious, but I can feel that emotional gap they try to maintain."
I understood exactly what she meant.
People might act friendly, but Layla was a Princess. No one could truly befriend her without distance.
Even her closest companions—Sara, Cedric, and Eleanor—maintained a subtle barrier in their hearts.
"But you're different, Alex. You don't seem to keep that kind of distance, and you don't really care about my status either… it feels like you see me as a person, not just a Princess."
"Ah, is that so?"
I thought I was keeping my distance, but I guess I wasn't.
Maybe my attitude had been a small light to Layla, who had probably been lonely for a long time.
'Come to think of it, I feel like I've seen this conversation before…'
It was probably one that took place during the affection-building event with Layla.
But still—had I already started raising her affection level after just one day of transmigration?
Who knew?
Layla was unpredictable in more ways than one.
"Then, I'll continue doing my best for you, Lady Layla."
"No need to do your best. Just stay the way you are now—hang out with me like this. Like talking early in the morning, for example?"
"I suppose that wouldn't be too difficult."
But wait.
Didn't I just say I should avoid getting too close to Layla?
Still, if I suddenly started avoiding her now, she'd probably get upset and hurt…
'If Layla gets hurt and vents to her father…'
From her perspective, it'd be a harmless complaint to her dad.
But from mine, it'd mean I'd drawn the Emperor's ire.
In short, I was stuck in a lose-lose situation.
I shouldn't get close to Layla—but I had to.
'…Still, if I had to choose, it's better to stay close.'
Getting on the Emperor's bad side would be far worse.
Sure, the nobles would keep an eye on me for being close to her, but I'd just have to endure that.
As I was thinking all this beside Layla—
[To be Continue]